Hand protector with friction inducing elements

ABSTRACT

A hand protector is provided that includes a body and friction inducing elements affixed to the body. The hand protector may equally accommodate either hand and therefore lack a handedness. The body of the protector may be formed from a temperature resistant material, such as aramid fiber, and by weaving the temperature resistant material. The friction inducing elements may be formed from a temperature resistant polymer, such as silicone, and may be in the form of elongated stripes. The friction inducing elements may be affixed on both sides of the protector so as to enable increased friction at a palm side when worn by either hand. At least some of the friction inducing stripes may run laterally across the palm of the glove.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

NOT APPLICABLE

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

NOT APPLICABLE

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK

NOT APPLICABLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to hand protectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to hand protectors with friction inducing elements.

Hand protectors, such gloves and mitts, are useful for protecting a wearer's hand while performing many tasks. For example, temperature resistant gloves or mitts may offer protection to a wearer required to manipulate objects that are at extreme temperatures. Such tasks may range from everyday household tasks, such as cooking, removing hot items from the oven, handling frozen items, to industrial tasks, such as handling metal pipes that are at high temperatures.

A common problem with hand protectors, and especially temperature resistant hand protectors, is that the protective material of the glove may be bulky and cause the wearer to lose a certain amount of dexterity in the protected hand. Another common problem is that the protective material of the glove may not offer a good grip to the wearer. That is, the material of the hand protector fails to induce sufficient friction with the items being gripped by the wearer to give the wearer a secure grip on the item. In combination, the loss of dexterity and lack of sufficient grip can be a substantial and dangerous problem for the wearer, who, in the case of temperature resistant gloves, may be handling dangerously hot or cold objects while wearing the glove (e.g., steaming hot food in a kitchen, liquid nitrogen in a laboratory).

In light of the above, an improved hand protector that enhances a wearer's grip is desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are directed to a hand protector with friction inducing elements attached to the exterior of the protector. The hand protector may, for example, be in the form of a five-finger glove or a mitt and may equally accommodate either hand (i.e., lack handedness). The hand protector may be a temperature resistant hand protector and may be formed from temperature resistant materials. In particular, the hand protector may be formed from heat resistant and flame resistant materials. The hand protector may include an interior lining and an exterior body, one or both of which may be formed from temperature resistant materials. In one example, the hand protector may include aramid fiber. In another example, a combination of Dupont Nomex® and Dupont Kevlar® may be used in the hand protector.

The friction inducing elements attached to the hand protector may provide greater friction when contacting a gripped object than otherwise provided by an outer material of the hand protector. The friction inducing elements may be formed from a temperature resistant material, particularly a heat resistant material. The friction inducing elements may be identically affixed on both sides of the protector to enable increased friction in a palm side of the protector when worn on either hand. The friction inducing elements may take the form of elongated stripes of material that run, at least in part, laterally across the palm of the hand protector (i.e., substantially perpendicular to the direction of fingers inserted into the hand protector). In one example, the friction inducing elements may be formed from silicon.

One aspect of the present invention is directed to a hand protector including a body with temperature resistant material that is configured to individually accommodate fingers of a hand. The body has first and second sides and is configured to equally accommodate either hand. Friction inducing elements affixed to both the first and second sides of the body enable increased friction at a palm side when used by either hand.

In related aspects, the friction inducing elements may comprise elongated stripes of friction inducing material, at least some of which may run laterally across the body substantially perpendicular to finger projections of the body. The friction inducing elements may cover substantially the entire body and may be affixed to the finger projections of the body. The temperature resistant material may be heat resistant and flame resistant. The temperature resistant material may be heat resistant up to 540° F. The temperature resistant material may be an aramid fiber and may be at least one of Dupont Nomex® and Dupont Kevlar®.

In other related aspects, the friction inducing material may be configured to provide greater friction than an exterior material of the body. The friction inducing material may be heat resistant. The friction inducing material may be silicon. The temperature resistant material may be specifically configured to protect against high temperatures and the friction inducing material may be configured for contact with objects at high temperatures. The temperature resistant material may be specifically configured to protect against low temperatures and the friction inducing material may be configured for contact with objects at low temperatures. The body of the hand protector may comprise an interior lining made of knit cotton. The body may comprise woven temperature resistant material.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a hand protector that includes a body comprising temperature resistant material. The body has first and second sides and is configured to equally accommodate either hand. Elongated stripes of friction inducing material are affixed to both the first and second sides of the body to enable increased friction at a palm side when used by either hand. At least some of the stripes run laterally across the body substantially perpendicular to a direction of insertion of the hand.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a hand protector that includes a body configured to individually accommodate fingers of a hand comprising an exterior layer of woven heat resistant material and an interior lining within the exterior layer. The body has first and second sides and is configured to equally accommodate either hand. Elongated stripes of friction inducing material are affixed to both the first and second sides of the body to enable increased friction at a palm side when used by either hand. At least some of the stripes run laterally across the body of the glove substantially perpendicular to projections of the fingers.

Further aspects and detailed embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a first side of a hand protector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a second side of a hand protector in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the hand protector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides a temperature resistant hand protector with friction inducing elements attached to an exterior thereof for improving a wearer's grip.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 1 shows a first side of a hand protector 100. Hand protector 100 may equally accommodate use by either hand. That is, protector 100 may not possess any features of left or right handedness that would make it difficult or uncomfortable to interchangeably wear the protector on either hand. Therefore, the view of protector 100 in FIG. 1 is that of a wearer's right palm or the back of the wearer's left hand. Similarly, the view of protector 100 in FIG. 2 is that of a wearer's left palm or the back of the wearer's right hand. FIG. 2 is substantially a mirror image of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, exemplary protector 100 is a glove with five fingers. However, it should be understood that protector 100 may also take the shape of a mitt with less than five finger projections (e.g., a mitt with two projections, one for the thumb and another for the four fingers). Protector 100 has a body 20, which may include a temperature resistant material for protecting the wearer's hand against extreme heat or cold. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the body 20 may have an exterior shell 22, which may include a temperature resistant material. For example, a heat resistant and flame resistant material may be used for shell 22. In addition, support materials that increase a durability or toughness of the shell 22 may also be incorporated. In one embodiment, the shell 22 may include a combination of Dupont Nomex® and Dupont Kevlar®. The heat resistance of the shell 22 may protect a wearer's hand from temperatures of 540° F. or higher. Aramid fiber or other materials specifically configured to protect against extreme heat or, alternatively, against extreme cold may also be used in shell 22. The body 20 may also include an interior lining 24, which may be double-knit cotton in one embodiment. Alternatively, lining 24 may be any of the aforementioned temperature resistant materials or support materials, or a combination thereof.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, friction inducing elements 26 are affixed to both the first and second sides of the body 20 to enable increased friction at a palm side of the body when either hand is inserted into the protector 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the friction inducing elements 26 are substantially identically applied to both sides of the body 20 so as to create substantially the same pattern and effect on both sides. In the illustrated embodiment, the friction inducing elements 26 are elongated stripes of friction inducing material, such as a heat resistant polymer like silicon. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, stripes 26 may run laterally across the body 20 substantially perpendicular to finger projections 28 of the body. It should be understood that although the illustrated embodiment shows the friction inducing elements 26 as latitudinal stripes, other patterns or shapes may be easily substituted. For example, patterns of friction inducing dots or triangles, elongated stripes that run substantially parallel with the finger projections, and friction patches at the contact points of a wearer's hand, such as the heel of the thumb, the four callous points of the palm, and the tips of the fingers, may all be used. Moreover, ornamental patterns or text may also be formed using the friction inducing material to provide a desirable appearance to the friction inducing elements of the glove.

The friction inducing elements 26 may cover substantially the entire body 20 and may also be affixed to the finger projections 28 to improve grip at the fingers. The material used for the friction inducing elements 26 may provide greater friction than an exterior material of the body 20 (e.g., the material of shell 22). The friction inducing material 26 may be matched with the temperature resistant material of the body 20. For example, if the body 20 is specifically configured to be flame resistant and heat resistant, then friction inducing elements 26 may be formed from a material suited for contact with high temperatures (e.g., a material that will not melt under high heat). Accordingly, if the body 20 is specifically configured to resist extremely low temperatures, then friction inducing elements 26 may be formed from a material suited for contact with low temperatures (e.g., a material that will not become overly rigid or crack under low temperatures).

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, friction inducing elements 26A may also be affixed to the fingertips of the finger projections 28. Friction inducing elements 26A may be formed from the same material as elements 26, or may be formed from a different material. Elements 26A may be applied to body 20 in a different pattern or shape than elements 26. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each element 26A is a three-part pattern forming a hemisphere, rather than the elongated stripes of elements 26. Elements 26A may provide increased friction at the fingertip areas of projection 28 by covering more of that area with friction inducing material than the other areas of the body, or by using a material with higher frictional properties, or both.

Accordingly, aspects of an improved hand protector with friction inducing elements are provided. In one preferred embodiment, the protector 100 is a five-finger glove that includes an outer shell 22 made of a combination of Dupont Nomex® and Dupont Kevlar® and an inner lining 24 made of double-knit cotton. The outer shell is both flame resistant and heat resistant and protects a wearer from a temperature of 540° F. Silicon stripes 26 are affixed to the outer shell 22 and run laterally across the palm and the fingers of the glove. Fingertip friction elements 26A are also provided.

While exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for clarity of understanding and by way of example, a variety of changes, modifications, and adaptations are obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art and are encompassed by the spirit of the invention. Hence, the scope of the present invention is limited solely by the appended claims. 

1. A hand protector comprising: a body having an exterior layer comprising a woven aramid fiber temperature resistant material, said body configured to individually accommodate fingers of a hand, said body having first and second sides and configured to equally accommodate either hand; and a plurality of friction inducing elements substantially identically affixed to both the first and second sides of said exterior layer of the body to create substantially the same pattern of said elements on said first side and said second side while leaving a portion of said so-affixed exterior layer uncovered between said elements, to enable increased friction at a palm side when used by either hand, wherein the friction inducing elements are formed of a friction inducing material different than the temperature resistant material.
 2. The hand protector of claim 1, wherein the friction inducing elements comprise elongated stripes of the friction inducing material.
 3. The hand protector of claim 2, wherein at least some of the stripes run laterally across the body substantially perpendicular to finger projections on the body.
 4. The hand protector of claim 1, wherein the friction inducing elements cover substantially the entire body.
 5. The hand protector of claim 1, wherein the friction inducing elements are affixed to projections of the fingers on the body.
 6. The hand protector of claim 1, wherein the temperature resistant material is heat resistant and flame resistant.
 7. The hand protector of claim 1, wherein the temperature resistant material is heat resistant up to 540° F.
 8. The hand protector of claim 1, wherein the temperature resistant material is woven aramid fiber.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The hand protector of claim 1, wherein the friction inducing material is heat resistant.
 11. The hand protector of claim 1, wherein the friction inducing material is silicon.
 12. The hand protector of claim 1, wherein the friction inducing material is configured to provide greater friction than an exterior material of the body.
 13. The hand protector of claim 1, wherein the temperature resistant material is specifically configured to protect against high temperatures.
 14. The hand protector of claim 13, wherein the friction inducing material is configured for contact with objects at high temperatures.
 15. The hand protector of claim 1, wherein the temperature resistant material is specifically configured to protect against low temperatures.
 16. The hand protector of claim 15, wherein the friction inducing material is configured for contact with objects at low temperatures.
 17. The hand protector of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises an interior lining made of knit cotton.
 18. (canceled)
 19. A hand protector comprising: a body configured to receive a hand, said body comprising an external layer of woven aramid fiber temperature resistant material, said body having first and second sides and configured to equally accommodate either hand; and elongated stripes of friction inducing material substantially identically affixed to both the first and second sides of the said external layer of said body to create substantially the same pattern of said elements on said first side and said second side while leaving a portion of said so-affixed external layer uncovered between said elements, to enable increased friction at a palm side when used by either hand, wherein at least some of the stripes run laterally across the body substantially perpendicular to a direction of insertion of the hand, wherein the friction inducing material is different than the temperature resistant material.
 20. A hand protector comprising: a body configured to individually accommodate fingers of a hand comprising an exterior layer of woven aramid fiber heat resistant material and an interior lining within the exterior layer, the body having first and second sides and configured to equally accommodate either hand; and elongated stripes of friction inducing material substantially identically affixed to both the first and second sides of said exterior layer of said body to create substantially the same pattern of said elements on said first side and said second side while leaving a portion of said so-affixed exterior layer uncovered between said elements, to enable increased friction at a palm side when used by either hand, wherein at least some of the stripes run laterally across the body of the glove substantially perpendicular to finger projections of the body, wherein the friction inducing material is different than the temperature resistant material.
 21. The hand protector of claim 1, wherein the friction inducing elements comprise dots of the friction inducing material.
 22. The hand protector of claim 1, wherein the friction inducing elements comprise triangles of the friction inducing material.
 23. The hand protector of claim 1, wherein the friction inducing elements are arranged in an ornamental pattern to provide a desirable appearance to the friction inducing elements. 